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Kings of Leon at Xcel Energy Center

Tennessee rockers Kings of Leon did not disappoint when they performed at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on Oct. 18. Although it was a Wednesday night, the arena was packed. The opening act, Dawes, warmed up the crowd with their country twang and rainbow lights. After the opening act, the crowd waited restlessly for Kings of Leon to take the stage. As soon as the lights went down, a huge curtain covering the stage rose. Backlit by purple lights, the quartet cranked out “Conversation Piece,” the seventh track off their latest album, “Walls.”

The animated graphics were colorful and even trippy at times. Screens lit up with pink and blue flashing hands, and lights were used both aesthetically and strategically. During the song “Find Me,” white spotlights roamed over the crowd, mimicking flashlights. When the band played “Use Somebody,” everyone in the audience joined in to sing along. After that huge hit, the curtain came back down, and the band traded their electric guitars for acoustic ones. During the third softer song, they transitioned back into their alt-rock vibe. The lead singer, Caleb Followill, announced that they had been on tour for over a year, and that they had eight shows left before they had to return to Nashville. They fittingly proceeded to play “Back Down South.”

The show was relaxed but still entertaining, the mark of musicians who are becoming old pros.